Chapter 15

The first nine weeks of school went by faster than I thought. After Homecoming, the first parent teacher conference and Charlie's 26th birthday; I decided to do something for Bryan.

I was able to place Juju's soul into my necklace that I could call upon at will. I placed a spell on Juju that would transform him from a rock creature into that of a real dog. A dachshund respectfully. This way Bryan can have Juju all to himself. In times of pain, he can be of support and comfort to him.

I lit a few candles and drew a circle on the floor with magic dust. I then took off my necklace and placed it in the middle of the circle.

"Petra ut canem." I said quietly. I waved my hand over the necklace. It began to float and spin.

"Petra ut canem!" I said louder.

There was a flash and from the light the stone transformed. In the middle of the circle stood a smooth haired dark chocolate short-legged long bodied perfect dachshund with a cute little tail and floppy ears. It barked at me happily.

"Juju come!"

The dog came to me. The spell worked. I smiled brightly. I then conjured up a sapphire colored collar, with the name Juju written out on a silver metal tag. I put the collar on Juju. He barked and licked my face. It was early Saturday morning. I took Juju into the kids room where my family lay sleeping. I gently put Juju on the bed. The puppy walked over to Bryan wagging his tail. He placed his head down next to Bryan and licked his face.

"If that's Isa, Mira, or Anna...stop it...you're being gross!" He stated with his eyes closed. "And your breath smells like dog get out of my face."

He started to push Juju away but from the moment he felt his snout and wet cold nose he opened his eyes.

"Wow a puppy!"

The girls sat up wiping the sleep for their eyes.

"A doggie is in our bed Anna!" Isabelle cried.

"Hi Doggie!"

"His name is Juju." I told them.

"You mean the Juju?" Bryan asked.

"Yes sweetheart...he's yours now."

Bryan just smiled. I smiled back. I had a hint of tears in my eyes.

"Hey Juju! Hey boy!" Bryan said and gave Juju love and pets. Juju licked him and smacked his lips. He then made his way over to Charlie and licked his face.

"Mmm...ooo someone's feeling hot this morning." He told Juju.

I just covered my mouth and tried not to laugh.

"Come here Har...I can be just as wild as you." Charlie replied and licked Juju's face. He then gasped and sat up on the bed spitting and gagging. The kids all laughed.

"Daddy kissed a doggie!" Mira laughed.

I laughed too.

"Where did this dog even come from?!" Charlie shouted. He then grabbed the collar.

"Juju!? Hey buddy!"

He gave him some pets, and rubbed Juju down his long back. What the family didn't know was Juju was no ordinary dog; though he now resembled one. He could turn back into his rock creature like self, if he wanted to protect Bryan; as well as my girls from harm. In time I knew he would become like another brother to them. I think they warmed up to him already. Of course I didn't forget to get a new dog's essentials. Being a real dog meant real food. I bought Juju a bowl and a water dish, as well as a leash and stuffed bear to play with. It was so strange yet comforting to hear Juju's toenails click clack across our floors behind us. His presence added a whole new layer of safety and comfort to our household.

He often slept in the same bed with the kids. When the kids seemed to be doing alright he slept in my bed with me and Charlie. During the night he made his rounds going from one room to another to check on the family. He was a watchful protector. He barked at every unknown sound. Led me to every unknown person; like our mail carrier. Guarded the front door in the early hours of the morning, and sometimes slept directly on top of Bryan. I found myself going to the bathroom once and Juju growled at me from the bedroom before he discovered it was me. It was one of the best ideas I ever had.

It was getting close to Halloween. I knew the kids were just itching to go to the Halloween store. I decided to take them during the weekend. We'd get Juju a costume too. Charlie was having to work. He would even be gone for Halloween.

He worked in part with sports production. He was going to be three hours away at a college homecoming football game. He was going to be the commentator.

"Mira, Isa, Anna, Bryan!" I called for them.

"Get your coats let's go!"

The girls came running down the hall. They each had on a light jacket, each a different color. Anna ran past me and began to put her shoes on.

"Can you tie my shoes Mommy?"

"Yes baby...Mira where are your shoes?"

"I only found one Mommy."

"Well go look under the bed in your room see if you can't find it okay?"

All the while Juju kept barking.

"Not now Juju!" I scorned.

"Mommy my shoes need tying too." Isabelle spoke up.

"Okay...okay in a minute." I told her as I tied Anna's shoes.

"Momma!" Mira screamed. "It's not there!"

"Look in the closet honey!" I screamed back. I then promptly tied Isabelle's shoe laces. Juju barked and tried to jump on me.

"Juju! Down boy down!"

Mira came running in with both shoes in her hands.

"Here they are!"

Anna started to open the front door.

"Anna, wait don't go out without my say so." I told her.

"Bryan!" I called. "Bryan come on baby, we're going!"

Juju barked and headed for the hall. Bryan didn't answer me.

"Anna shut the door, you girls wait right here."

Juju wanted me to follow him. He lead me to the bathroom. The door was shut. I knocked softly.

"Bryan honey are you in there?"

Upon opening the door he was passed out in the floor. The medicine cabinet was open and he tried to inject himself with his medicine.

"Bryan sweetheart!"

I picked him up and carried him into the living room. I gently put him on the couch. I ran for the kitchen and grabbed him a cookie and a cup of juice. When I returned to the living room his sister's surrounded him.

"He's sick Momma." Isabelle stated.

"No, he's had an attack Isabelle...Come on Bry...here we go."

I sat him up. He whimpered and groaned. He was finally awake but disoriented.

"Here honey drink your juice."

I held his head as he drank from the glass. I then broke the cookie in two and gave him a piece.

"Mommy?" He uttered softly.

"Hm?"

"I...I...love you."

"Aww sweetie, I love you too...here finish your juice."

Within 20 minutes or so he was feeling better. I inserted his insulin pump to regulate him while we went out. He was so happy to be going costume shopping. I bought Juju a cape because he is a hero. Without him, I never would have known Bryan even needed assistance. Without Juju our lives wouldn't feel this safe. I was so happy to have him back. But more importantly happy to have watch over my kids.